Michigan residents asked to take down bird feeders as avian flu cases spread

Elissa Welle, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read

DETROIT – With more cases of bird flu detected in wild and domestic birds across Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources suggests Michiganders take down their bird feeders and birdbaths out of an abundance of caution.

Birds flock to Michigan in April and May as they migrate through the Great Lakes region after wintering in Central and South America. Migrating species, such as the colorful yellow-rumped warbler or the soaring broad-winged hawk, may seek out food sources in backyard bird feeders, causing some Michigan birders to worry about spreading avian influenza, also known as the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Bird flu was first detected in Michigan in late February. Birds at the Detroit Zoo were moved indoors in response to protect from bird flu exposure. More recent cases of bird flu have cropped up across the state.

Positive sample of bird flu: More than 32,000 turkeys in North Carolina euthanized

Bird flu outbreak: Bald eagles in 14 states have died

Megan Moriarty, DNR state wildlife veterinarian, said in a statement that bird species vary in how likely they are to die from bird flu infection. While all birds are potentially susceptible to bird flu, domestic birds, such as chickens, cockatoos, or doves, are more vulnerable to fatal infection.

In addition, some wild bird populations, like waterfowl, raptors and scavengers, are "highly susceptible and have been particularly affected by this disease," Moriarty said in the statement.

Songbirds appear less prone to bird flu, although Moriarty noted that testing of songbirds is limited and much is still unknown.

“If you’re concerned about this virus and want to act from a place of abundant caution, removing your bird feeders, for now, makes sense, but it isn’t yet a critical step,” Moriarty said. “With warmer springtime weather on the way, too, birds will have more natural food sources readily available to them.”

Bird feeder removal could be wise for those who see blue jays, crows, or ravens in their backyard because those species are deemed at high risk of bird flu. Birdbaths are also places for birds to come in contact and spread bird flu, and the DNR suggests temporarily removing baths until the HPAI bird flu spread in wild and domestic birds decreases, which may be months or longer.

For those who wish to keep their bird feeders in place, Moriarty suggested a number of steps to reduce the spread of bird flu.

  • Clean bird feeders with a diluted bleach solution (and rinse well) once per week. Regularly cleaning helps protect birds against other infections, including salmonella.

  • Clean up birdseed that has fallen below the feeders to discourage large numbers of birds and other wildlife from congregating in a concentrated area.

  • Don’t feed wild birds, especially waterfowl, near domestic flocks.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bird flu concerns prompt request to remove feeders in Michigan